Lisa Gersbach

Current parent

Sled dogs and Australia are not words that people would usually put together. Isn’t that a Northern Hemisphere thing? Surely it would be way too hot here. Luckily, my family happens to live in an area that is more than conducive to raising, training and racing sled dogs and being part of a community that is a little different to the norm. In 1996, my husband Andrew and I embarked on a journey into this amazing sport when our first two dogs entered our lives and we were introduced to a hobby that would ultimately become our passion. Idigadog Kennels was registered that same year. The Canberra Sled Dog Club had newly formed, and we were thrust into the early morning routine of training and competition. It wasn’t very long before we were on the club committee and then Andrew took on the President’s role and I became Secretary. We were also part of forming the Australian Sleddog Sports Association which became a governing body for all clubs throughout the country and most recently the Australian Federation of Sleddog Sports. Twenty-six years later and after travelling all around the country competing, that flame is still burning strong for what has become a lifestyle that very few have the privilege of experiencing. In the past couple of weeks, new puppies have been born in our home which are the seventh generation of dogs that we have loved and raised as part of our family. Dog sledding has taken us to the US, Canada and New Zealand to be race judges, marshals and handlers. We have had the pleasure of working with some of the best dog people in the sport and have forged friendships that only “crazy dog people” can truly understand. Our son Caleb was born into the world of sled dogs in May 2006. In fact, I was pregnant with him when Andrew and I were race judges in Joseph Oregon that January. He attended his first ever race at four weeks of age camping in the freezing cold and didn’t bat an eyelid to the noise and commotion of dogs screaming with excitement to race. I guess he was already immune to it all. Training and racing dogs must be one of the most rewarding times we can have as a family. What many people don’t realise is that to get a cohesive and disciplined team that is capable of winning races, you have to start at the grass roots when the dogs are just puppies. Hours of handling, stimulating and working out their personalities all take time along with the basics needed to place that dog into a position where they can’t fail. It really is no different to a rugby, football or

basketball team. Each individual has their strengths and weaknesses and to make that team work together to the best of their potential, we as the “coaches” need to harness each member and encourage them to perform at their best. Some are leaders, some are workhorses and others are team players. Without the other, none of it works. To be a successful team, all members need to be dedicated and with Andrew, Caleb and I it is no different. Early mornings, late nights, freezing temperatures, hours sitting behind dogs in the forest watching and assessing. Caleb has been doing this his whole life and I dare say there aren’t many fifteen year old’s that could pick up that a dog running at 40 kph has a sore toe on its front left paw. It’s all in the detail and observation. It’s all about the relationship based on mutual respect and trust. It’s about knowing your team members better than they know themselves. Every year in August we travel to Dinner Plain in Victoria to race our dogs on snow. Yes, with real sleds! For the other races on the national circuit we use scooters and rigs and the tracks are forestry trails that are marked for each class. The Canberra club trains in Kowen Forest near Queanbeyan and this is where we hold our annual race. Many people feel that they couldn’t possibly make their dog pull them around a trail but if you have a dog that is bred for it, nothing will stop them. They love it and they live for it. It’s like having a child that constantly wants to practice for their chosen sport. Nothing else matters. They just can’t get enough. I guess I could say that our life is very different to most. We can’t just drop everything and head off on holidays because someone always needs to be here at the kennel. This probably equates to Caleb missing out on many things that a normal child and then teenager would be doing but it has also given him a great understanding and appreciation of dedication and hard work. It has also made for a very compassionate, animal loving, kind human who has done so many things outside of the norm. A resilient Eddie’s boy.